Twitter is considering launching a standalone messaging app that could compete with the likes of WhatsApp and others, reports AllThingsD.

According to sources, the concept of developing the platform’s direct messages functionality into a standalone title has been discussed within the company, although is unclear how the app would differentiate itself from the more established alternatives.

According to sources, Twitter executives met with representatives from mobile messaging app, MessageMe, perhaps providing a clue about how it could develop a standalone product.

Apps such as WhatsApp, Viber and LINE have surged in popularity in recent years while South Korean messaging service KakaoTalk was mentioned as a threat in Twitter’s recent IPO filing.

According to App Annie, these types of apps have garnered hundreds of thousands of users through a focus on regional growth and differentiating features, such as group messaging, giving users the option to avoid advertising and offering the ability to send stickers and play games using the platforms

Facebook and Path both reacted to the rise of messaging apps by improving their messaging capability.

AllThingsD also reports that Twitter is considering dropping its #Music app. Launched in April on the iPhone, #music recommends and streams songs based on who users follow on Twitter.

It quickly reached the upper reaches of the App Store ratings but has failed to maintain its initial popularity in terms of downloads and engagement.